'Gilligan's Island' star Dawn Wells dies, COVID-19 cited

Dawn Wells, who played wholesome Mary Ann among a misfit band of shipwrecked castaways on 1960s sitcom “Gilligan's Island,” died Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19, her publicist said. She was 82.

Wells died peacefully at a living facility in Los Angeles, publicist Harlan Boll said.

“re is so much more to Dawn Wells” than “Gilligan's Island” character that brought her fame, Boll said in a statement.

Besides TV, film and st acting credits, her or real-life roles included teacher and motivational speaker, Boll said.

Born in Re, Neva, Wells represented her state in 1959 Miss America pant and quickly pivoted to an acting career. Her early TV roles came on shows including “77 Sunset Strip,” “Maverick” and “Bonanza."

n came “Gilligan's Island,” a goofy, good-natured show that became an unlikely but indelible part of popular culture.

Im credits: AP